The McCain campaign released a web ad Friday claiming McCain won the debate.

(CNN) - The time between the final answer in any presidential debate and the campaign press release declaring victory can usually best be measured in milliseconds. But John McCain’s campaign – which has been downplaying his performance at Friday’s faceoff, offering praise for opponent Barack Obama’s “eloquence” and debating skill – seems to have decided it’s never too soon to start spinning the outcome.

The Washington Post reported Friday that the campaign was running an online ad featuring the headline: "McCain Wins Debate!" and a photo of a smiling McCain and an American flag background. Another featured a quote from McCain campaign manager Rick Davis: "McCain won the debate - hands down."

The Obama campaign quickly circulated the report – which came moments before McCain’s team confirmed he would take part in the evening debate after all.

soundoff(294 Responses)

ES NYC

When this is so HILARIOUS in such grave times, it is definitely PATHETIC...

September 26, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

Moe

Drama after drama for John McCain ...for your information the debates are tonight and you've not won yet. Barack is waiting for you by the way so that you guys could discuss the future of America. We wish you good luck and have fun!

September 26, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

KH

These people keep shooting themselves, this is absolutely ridiculous. Spinning the results before the competition!

WoW – they probably have a web ad for Nov 5 – "McCain wins by a landslide" HA!!

September 26, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

A NATION OF WINERS for OBAMA

WE HAVE GONE FROM MCMORON JUST BEING A GREEDY

SLIMY SENILE IGNORANT OLD MAN TO MENTALLY DISTURBED.

September 26, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

Mccain is a liar

Wow, how many houses, how many cars, how big of an ego, honestly if he had any sense left in his tired old lieing brain of his he would fire his whole campaign, staff, manager's, all of them, they are low live's, the scum of the earth, lieing to the public without a care in the world.

September 26, 2008 02:47 pm at 2:47 pm |

Pam

I am really amazed. MacMeToo is losing it!!!! Big Time!!!!!

September 26, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

Vee

Why go with someone who can do more than one thing at a time, when you can have somebody who can see the future.

Don't you know that McCain:

Won tonight's debate
2. Fixed the economy
3. By gally he won the election already.

September 26, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

C

This guy has turned the entire United States into a childish joke! People around the world must be laughing at us! Send this guy back to the Senate and put him in "time out"!

September 26, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

Recognizes a LUNATIC

This guy is INSANE. This should be a perfect example to anyone that would vote for this MORON that he is living in his own little world and doesn't have a clue!

Hey-McCain convinced me! He was masterful! I hung on every word! Suddenly, I am convinced that I should vote for him.

Oh, wait...the debate hasn't happened yet?

September 26, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

Laura

The add should ready

Drama Queen Lipstick wearing McCain wins!!! .... for being such a fool

September 26, 2008 02:48 pm at 2:48 pm |

GreenPea

I'm so TIRED of hearing republidums talk about all the "experience" Palin has. Well, what experience did your demi-god Reagan have??? He was a darn actor, and republidums rave at how wonderful a president he was. So why are you so anti-Obama, when he is an educated, public servant for many years? Just get over yourselves. Republidums will say anything to justify a dumb hopeless ticket.

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

denise, pc, fl

Looks like he's dreaming again.

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

12 HOUSES to 0

MAN HAS NO FACULTIES TO WORK WITH &

HIS CAMPAIGN ADVISERS NOT ANY BETTER OFF.

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

summerstorm

WHAT THE HECK!!!

Will this ever end?

McCain go home and relax! Your duty is done!

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

McCain Is Out Of Touch .... We're Out Of Time

Looks like the McSame campaign is cratering.

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Brandon

McPalin is a Joke!

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

J in CA

Well this just goes to show that the Mcsame campaign is "fundamentaly strong."

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Uche

Mission Accomplished!!! Sounds familiar???

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Tainopower

Country first. America haters will be thrown under the bus.

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Kel

What an asinine, presumptive thing to do. They're just trying to grab headlines because now that their campaign has finally been getting the attention its so desperately wanted, they're realizing that the attention is just scrutiny into the idiocy at the core of their entire campaign. This is sad.

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

Trish NJ

This is no surprise to me. The McCain camp is filled with lies & BS. His entire campaign has been filled with gimmicks and cheap ploys to distract the voters (i.e his VP pick)! I guess he thought the American people would be dumb enough to bite the bait. However, Americans are worried, in fact scared, about how they are going to feed their families & survive in this declining economy. We don't have time to be mis-lead into a deeper financial hole then what we are already in. I don't vote for a candidate b/c he/she is black, white, or a woman, I vote for the candidate that has me and my families best interest in mind!!!!

Obama/Biden 08

September 26, 2008 02:49 pm at 2:49 pm |

FutureMD

Newsflash: Republican Declares Victory Prematurely

Surely this is just an isolated incident everybody. No repub has ever declared victory prematurely before.